Pondering an RV

[YellowBeard]

Ever since my VA disability letter came. I have been thinking about my living situation. Currently I'm rated at 70%. Which is a good chunk of change. I have a good job at PepBoys and almost have my Culinary degree. Something is missing though. A thought came into my head a few days ago. Why not buy an RV? I first though about a 5th wheel. Then quickly scraped that. Where would my car go? You can't pull a 30' 5th wheel and a car at the same time. Then a Class A crossed my mind. Too expensive. Looked at a Class B and saw an updated 70's/80's conversion. So, decided it would have to be a Class C. I would use it to do something most people can only dream about. Go on a 1 to 2 year trek across the US!

I am single. So no "family" worry about. I am in the VA grant per diem housing program (a shelter). So no house to fret over. And all my belongings are in a secure storage unit. I think it's the perfect plan. What do you all think?

[mrn65]

I think its a great idea, being that you have the urge to travel....."You fought 4 our Country,Go see our country"!. God bless U.

[oldsAURORAmobile]

My personal choice would be the GMC motorhome from the seventies. You can learn a lot about them at gmccoop.com. I have been to their facility in Orlando a couple of times and these people really are passionate and love this machine. The owner's blog is a must-read for me daily.

[YellowBeard]

Went to the bank today... Got declined Not going to let it get me down though. Will just have to wait a bit.

[skizo]

Ain't this just cuter than a bugs ear? <G>



That's an old Euro edition Ford Transit van. The Transit is a nice size for a class C conversion but recent imports here to the states, so might want to hold off a couple years till they start showing up at reasonable prices on the used market.

PS ... even a standard long body Transit cargo van might be worth looking at. Nice flat floor, easy step up, lots of headroom, and you can just slide a cot and whatever in to get started - your basic tent on wheels. Customize it as you go along. Bathroom could be as simple as a chemical toilet. Find one with the handy dandy rack system, and you've got the makings of some nice closet and storage space already.

[fatcity]

Go to YOU TUBE , look up RV's plenty of ideas and opinions . Class A vs Class C ? Since your alone, the Class C makes the most sense. I remember when ' Camper Shells ' [ for Heavy Duty Pick Up Trucks ] were all the rage. Do they still make them ? I used to know someone who had an older class A, which I called ' The Rolling Slum ' . Those ' Toy Hauler ' Class A's seem the exception to the rule. Are there any Rent an RV dealerships in your area ? Knew a few people who rented first, and found they did not like RV ing . " Too Expensive, too many restrictions, awful gas mileage , cramped quarters . At least they didn't buy one, only to find they didn't like it . A few wound up loving the freedom, were not phased by the drawbacks , and ultimately bought, and enjoy their RV's . The GM RV sure looks cool, but is it as good as the competition ?

[scottydl]

A Class C might make more sense, until you try and live in one. Class A's are above and beyond in many ways, most notably with the increased headroom, more open space inside (cockpit area converts to living space instead of being wasted while camping), and more storage. You say "too expensive" but I'm assuming you are looking at brand new prices. DON'T DO IT. One huge downside of new RV's is that they depreciate horribly in the first few years. Every style of RV gets terrible gas mileage (6-7 mpg is common) so just write off that factor... you camp in them way more than you drive them, so it's not really a huge cost factor.

You can buy something gently used, 3-5 years old from a private seller, and save tons of money. I'd recommend saving up and paying cash, not getting yourself into a super duper loan that will instantly be upside down (due to depreciation). Start checking out your local Craigslist sites, Ebay (searches filtered by distance), RVtrader.com, and PPLmotorhomes.com is a great research site to see what's out there (even if you don't buy from them).

By the way, I'm on my 2nd RV ownership experience. First one was a 1994 Thor Residency 35' Class A motorhome, and current one is a 2008 Forest River Wildwood 32' bunkhouse trailer (which is pulled by the 1995 C2500 Suburban listed in my signature). I am one of the admins at RVforum.net and would recommend you come visit us there.